Some gas stations carry Ethanol, that is what makes my car run different. They should have some type of sticker on the pump or E85 listed, but most here do not. So when I fill-up with fuel containing Ethanol, my car will always display the "Check Engine" light. And the Dealer's scanner indicates the code as "Fuel Related". Do not know the details. but I have been trying to stay away from Ethanol. All I know is it can damage seals and gaskets that was not designed for it.

A Merry Christmas to all Big Cat lovers.

 

Your car (actually all Jags for many years) was designed to run on fuels with up to 10% ethanol. This is mentioned in your owners manual. E10 is nothing new- much of North America has had it for at least 20 years and there are NO operating issues with it, despite the internet rumour mill.

For clarity, I think E10 is a really dumb idea that makes no technical or ecological sense, but that's another issue

 

My OBDII scanner finally arrived, I will be checking on the “Check Engine” light this weekend and find out exactly what code(s) it has.

 

Well, I got just one code: P0171 (System too lean)
I was not getting the complete info from the dealers.....

My next list of things to check/do:

MAF Sensor is dirty or faulty
Air or vacuum leaks
Low fuel pressure
Incorrect valve timing
Plugged fuel filter or weak fuel pump
Plugged or dirty fuel injectors
Dirty or contaminated gas

 

Most of our stations have 91 octane and my car runs fine on it, once in a while I treat her to 94. I spend on average about $160 a week on gas, I'm hoping to move closer to work in the spring.

 

Paul-

There's nothing in 94 octane that will be a 'treat' for you or the car. Waste of money for a car that runs at 100% potential on 91.

 

Good to know, no more "treats".

 

I was planning on starting my toubleshooting last night....
Started the White Cat and she purrrrredddddd like a kitten...
No "Check Engine" light!
Whats with that? Maybe it was because I had her in the garage?
I will see how she runs after work today.


Ok, OK, I am just venting....do not have time to properly troubleshoot, and I know a little about engine sensors and what they do from my former job (retired now). Well then, I have to turn my attention to repairing the suspension and replacing one of my ballast.

Merry Christmas to all and a Happy New Year.

 

Here is why there is a big problem with trying this. The knock sensors pick up the knocking and the computer slowly retards the timing until it doesn't get knock readings. In the mean time you have knocking.
In the muscle car days; the intake cam closed the valves late so that air/fuel could still get in at the high RPM's where the horsepower is made. A static compresion ratio (volume measurement) of 11 to 1 might only be 8 to 1 dynamic. Now with variable cam timing; the intake closes nearer to bottom dead center at low speeds and late at high RPM's. This gives the low end power and high end power from one engine set up.
So your spark timing will be retarding and advancing while the computer tries to follow its instructions.
Wrong cars for you.

 

Its better to pay for the premium. The jag dealership said I ****ed myself becuase now im paying out the butt to fix everything that running cheap fuel in the car messed up. I went to 89 and now im back the dealer reccomeneded 93

 

(UPDATE)
I changed gas stations this past week (was filling at 2 other stations) and the codes has stopped. Any relation to this? As long as there are no codes, I am sticking to this one station.

This may explaine my problems; the Owner's Handbook has this:

 

Such as.....?


Was it an fuel *octane* issue or a fuel *quality* issue? Two different things!

Cheers
DD

 

My XK8 Handbook has exactly the same section. It's hardly a glowing endorsement for these additives and tends more towards 'can' be used rather than 'designed' for.

In the UK our standard unleaded fuel is 95 Octane. This normally contains 2 per cent grain alcohol but can contain up to 5 per cent.

I take my car over to France twice a year where I cover around 2000 miles. In France, 'E95' containing 10 per cent ethanol or grain alcohol is replacing the equivalent standard unleaded. I avoid this stuff and use the alternative but costlier 98 Octane unleaded. There's no noticeable difference in performance but the lining of my tank and fuel lines aren't being subjected to the corrosive effects of ethanol so it's worth the small extra cost.

On the XK8 forum reports of fuel pump failures in the US are common whereas they are comparatively rare in the UK. That tells me what I need to know about 10 per cent Ethanol, Methanol etc additives.

As an aside, I'm paying £1.31 per litre for 95 Octane. This equates to $7.64 per US gallon. Interested to know the fuel cost in US and Canada.

 

In my neck o' the woods the 10% ethanol fuel has been standard issue for years. I'm still waiting to see or experience all the horrible things that are supposed to happen.

They must be very subtle and take decades to develop...or I'm *completely oblivious* to the condition of my fuel system. One or the other :-)

Cheers
DD

 

Doug,

Sent you a PM.

Graham

 

GGG,

You might want to sit down to hear this---I can purchase 93 octane in South Carolina for $3.23/gal at Costco. South Carolina has less fuel tax than most of the states in the US---I always make sure to fuel up in SC before crossing into North Carolina which is 20 cents more per gallon. I like to kick the supercharger a little before fueling in SC.

 

Filled up my X Type yesterday. Paid $3.07 for Chevron 91 octane.

 

Mike,

I can only take a small crumb of comfort from the fact our Jaguar spares prices are half or less than you have to pay. I'd gladly swap that for the same fuel tax.

I've only had this car since the beginning of December. The 2607 miles driven so far has taken £700 or $1080 in fuel ------ it does 3 mpg better than my last XK8 4.0 so that's a major bonus!

 

.................it gets more depressing

 

As a good friend used to tell me--"I've never seen a UHaul behind a hearse yet". Enjoy it while you can---you can't take it with you! Of course my 94 year old dad says "how do you know?"